A huge congratulations to actor and model Fabrice Mougas, who just landed the lead in an international Cadillac commercial. Here are some headshots I photographed for him last year. Can't wait to see you on TV, Fabs. Vroom, vroom!

I recently had the pleasure of shooting still photographs for a very special short film, Colors of Love, written by the talented Elisa Manzini. The film, directed by Sal Tassone, is in post-production. Here's a sneak peek of Kerry Knuppe playing the main character, Jen, a talented young woman with autism.

Violet Love doesn't mess around when it comes to making headbands. They're funky, functional and inspire a roarin' good time. As if these amazing headbands could get any better, Violet Love's new black label collection blends its stunning signature prints with ultra-absorbent fabric for the most active fashionistas. I don't break a sweat without one. This photo shoot of the spring and black label collections was nothing short of a party. Here's a sample of this season's catalog. Shot in December in downtown Los Angeles. Models: Eric Paskel, Laila Paskel, Dusty Facinelli-Janisch, Scotty Hsieh, Alex, Brittany, Abigail, Emma, Alexis Novak, Sochi and Emmy.

This shoot was very near and dear to my heart. I shot this editorial lookbook for Rebecca Michaels' spring 2014 collection last July with an amazing crew of women who, among other things, were unafraid to walk the streets of downtown Los Angeles in bare feet and change clothes in the back seat of an SUV. This stunning collection is now available online and at specialty stores throughout the United States. Models: Newsha Mostafavi, Paydin LoPachin and Tiara Denise.

In the 15 years I worked as a journalist, I often stepped out of my comfort zone. It was practically a job requirement.

As a reporter throughout Florida, I covered a range of topics that, in some cases, I knew very little about until I had to write about them. I met people who endured traumas I hoped never to experience, and celebrated with those reveling in their greatest triumphs. I often photographed them, too, documenting rare, fly-on-the-wall moments that most people overlook.

From one day to the next, the job was a crapshoot: You never knew what were going to get into or where you'd end up. You had to be ready for anything.

And that's where my journey into photography began.

I had always dabbled in travel and street photography, but photojournalism afforded me a unique perspective. That candid point of view helped inform my style as I ventured into portrait, wedding and event photography in 2009 to test the waters and refine my skills.

When I moved to Los Angeles in 2012 and decided to launch my own photography business a year later, I veered so far from my comfort zone that I embarked on a whole new journey — one that's taken me into the worlds of fashion photography, commercial photography, yoga photography and, yes, even set photography.

This last year has been an exciting time. And I wouldn't have made it this far without the support of so many.

And that's the point, I think.

The universe brings people into our lives for so many reasons — love, friendship, empowerment and opportunity, among them — that it's impossible to know who will leave an impression. Sometimes, it's a family member. Sometimes, it's a friend. Sometimes, it's a stranger.

But that impression can change the course of your life.

I'm proof.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me in my journey. I am grateful for you.

The universe gives us what we need when we need it. We just have to listen.